1920–2015
Gladys Barber, longtime island resident, died suddenly Jan. 12 from a ruptured aneurysm.
Left virtually alone in the world in her teens after her parents and grandparents had passed away, Gladys learned survival skills that helped her overcome challenges throughout her life. She worked briefly as a food server at a lunch counter in a Yakima drugstore, attended college on scholarship for a short time, then married in her early 20s. She raised two children as a single mother in the 1950s after the marriage ended, supporting the family with a job as a bookkeeper at a Seattle appliance store, then landing a secretarial job at the Seattle Times, where she eventually rose to the position of executive secretary to the president. In 1961, she re-married, acquiring not only a husband, Donald (“Spark”) Barber, but also three stepchildren. After remarrying, Gladys worked for title companies, in mortgage lending and escrow, and for general contractors, but she turned to real estate shortly after moving to the island in the mid-1970s, quickly becoming one of the top sellers at Center Isle Realty. She kept her broker’s license until she turned 85, and she was still receiving referrals from her clients over the years, many of who had become strong personal friends.
Gladys believed in taking an active part in her community. In 1975, having only lived on the island for a short time, she was elected an Island County freeholder. She was also active in the League of Women Voters and loved to discuss the issues of the day, stating her opinions thoughtfully and with a willingness to consider the thoughtfully stated views of others. Among her many other interests, she loved to garden and was an excellent seamstress, a talent that had been helpful to her as a single mother trying to make ends meet. Gladys inherited a love of music from music teachers and composers on her mother’s side, and she lent her lovely voice to church choirs and Sweet Adelines. Few things gave her more joy than listening to the Morman Tabernacle Choir on Sunday morning. On Christmas Eve, her family always urged Gladys to sing the “Five Golden Rings” part in “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” knowing her beautiful and accurate voice would bring everyone else back into key.
Gladys was devoted to Spark during their more than 40 years of marriage, willingly going with him on many a fishing, camping or hunting trip, even though she was afraid of the water and, as a city girl, had never shot a gun in her life. When Spark’s health failed, she cared for him at home for several years until he passed away, even though she was herself in her 80s. She always treated Spark’s children as her own, and their children and grandchildren were a source of joy to her. As a testament to the success of her parenting, each one of her five children and stepchildren has been married to the same person for more than 40 years.
Understanding and attempting to live the Scriptures was central to Gladys’ life. She took great comfort from her faith and the fellowship she drew from the church. Yes, she was a smart, strong, hardworking, persevering, independent woman who overcame many obstacles because of her refusal to surrender to adversity, but she always thanked God for her successes.
Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Barber; her sister, Jesse (“Jackie”) Potter; her brother, Carl L. Herring; and her first husband, Wilbur (“Bill”) Cavanaugh. She is survived by her stepsister, Allene Kelsey, Albany, Ore.; her children and stepchildren, Kenneth (Wendy) Cavanaugh, Fairfield, Iowa; Scott (Barbara) Barber, Gladstone, Ore.; Monte (Dan) Tofflemire, Ellensburg; Michael (Susan) Cavanaugh, Anacortes; Bruce (Raine) Barber, Hamilton, Mont.; and Robert (Sharon) Barber, Ontario, Ore.; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Gladys will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at Whidbey Presbyterian Church in Oak Harbor, the day after what would have been her 95th birthday. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembrances to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 123 NW 36th St. #100, Seattle, WA 98107.
